Rolls-Royce Says A Stretched 'A350-2000' Would Need Up To 7 Years Of Engine Development

Airbus’s renewed plans for a stretched A350-2000 are closely tied to how long engine-maker Rolls-Royce says it would take to develop a suitable powerplant. According to comments summarized by Reuters, Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic indicated the engine could require six or seven years, with certification and readiness targeted for 2033 or 2034 if Airbus greenlights the program in early 2027. Airbus has faced near-term constraints from supply-chain issues, including a lack of Pratt & Whitney engines for new airframes, with expectations that those problems affecting the A320neo family will be resolved by 2028. Airbus is also projecting 12 A350 deliveries per month by 2028, supported by a backlog of more than 9,200 orders.